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We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs May 23 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh Launches Phase-II of UMMID Programme for Rare Genetic Disorders
In May 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), launched the phase-II of the Unique Methods of Management and Treatment of Inherited Disorders (UMMID) Programme for Rare Genetic Disorders (RGDs) under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), MoS&T, at Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
About UMMID Programme Phase II:
Components: The programme includes establishment of NIDAN (National Inherited Diseases Administration) Kendras for advanced genetic diagnostics and counselling, clinician training and capacity-building, community outreach in underserved regions, and nationwide digital monitoring through the UMMID Dashboard.
Expansion: Phase-II includes 25 additional NIDAN Kendras across 13 states and one Union Territory (UT), along with three proposed training centres in Hyderabad (Telangana), Bengaluru (Karnataka), and UT Chandigarh (Punjab & Haryana).
Background: India’s first comprehensive national initiative, UMMID, was launched on 23 September 2019 by MoS&T to introduce molecular diagnostics for rare diseases.

India Hosts 68th APO Governing Body Meeting in New Delhi
In May 2026, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce & Industry(MoC&I), inaugurated the 68th Session of the Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Delhi, bringing together senior government officials, policymakers, productivity experts, and delegates from APO member economies.

Key Agenda of Meeting
Review: Member economies reviewed progress under the APO Vision 2030 framework, focused on productivity-led transformation in the Asia-Pacific region.

• Discussions included reforms in the APO Secretary-General election process and leadership elections for Chair and Vice Chairs for the 2026–27 term.

Budget Planning: Delegates discussed the APO’s preliminary budget for 2027–28 to support regional productivity programmes.
Awards: During the event, the APO National Award for Productivity Advocates was presented to Ashok Panjwani, Director of BEIL Infrastructure Limited, Bharuch, Gujarat, while the APO National Award for Productivity Technical Expert was conferred on Bakul Limbasiya, Founder Director of Bhathwari Technologies Private Limited, Gujarat.

• The National Productivity Council (NPC) Special Recognition Awards were presented during the event to Vidushi Mittal(Rajasthan), Anshul Malhotra(Himachal Pradesh, HP) and Akhand Pratap Singh,(Uttar Pradesh, UP)

About APO: Established in 1961, the APO is an intergovernmental body with 21 member economies across the Asia-Pacific region working to improve productivity for sustainable socio-economic development in the Asia-Pacific region. It was headquartered at Tokyo, Japan.

UK and Danish Firms Launch USD 300 Million Renewable Energy Initiative in India 
In May 2026, the United Kingdom’s (UK) development finance institution British International Investment (BII) partnered with Danish global fund manager Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to launch ‘North Star’, a USD 300 million Renewable Energy(RE) platform aimed at supporting India’s clean energy transition.
Project Overview:
Aim: The platform aims to invest in renewable energy projects across India, including solar, wind, hybrid energy systems, and battery energy storage solutions, supporting India’s goal of expanding clean and sustainable power capacity.
Investment Plan: BII and CIP, through Growth Markets Fund II (GMF II), will each invest up to USD 150 million in the North Star platform to support solar, wind, hybrid, and storage renewable energy projects in India.
Impact: North Star is expected to generate over 4 million Megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy annually while preventing nearly 4 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
Target: The initiative supports India’s goal of achieving 500 Gigawatts (GW) of RE capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070 amid a climate financing gap of nearly USD 160 billion annually.

MoT Launches Bharat Tex 2026 Event App with AI-Powered Networking Features
In May 2026, Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary of Ministry of Textiles(MoT),  launched the Bharat Tex 2026 Event Application(app) to facilitate AI-driven networking and business matchmaking for Bharat Tex 2026, scheduled to be held from 14–17 July 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Delhi.
About Bharat Tex 2026 App:
AI Assistant: The app features an AI-powered smart assistant providing 24×7 conversational support for schedules, venue details, directions, and other event-related queries.
Engagement: The platform includes dedicated networking and meeting modules that allow participants to discover relevant partners, schedule meetings, manage availability, and track interactions seamlessly through the app.
QR-Based Lead Capture: The app also features a Quick Response code(QR)-based lead capture system that enables exhibitors and visitors to scan digital badges and save contact details for future business follow-ups.
Bharat Tex 2026 : The event will be organised by the Bharat Tex Trade Federation(BTTF) along with 11 textile export promotion councils and support from the MoT. The event is aligned with Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi’s ‘5F Vision’: Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Norway on May 18 to 19, 2026 
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was on a two-day official visit to Norway from May 18 to 19, 2026, at the invitation of  Jonas Gahr Støre, PM of Norway.

• This marked the 1st ever official visit by an Indian PM to Norway in over 40 years since former PM of India Indira Gandhi visited the Nordic country in 1983.

Highlights of the Visit:
Key Engagements: During his visit to Norway, PM Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre and participated in the 3rd India-Nordic Summit held in Oslo, the capital city of Norway and also attended the India-Norway Business and Research Summit.
Felicitated with Norway’s Highest Civilian Honour: During his visit to Norway, PM was honoured with the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit Grand Cross, one of the highest civilian awards of Norway, by King Harald V in Oslo, Norway.This marked 32nd global honor conferred upon PM Modi and the 2nd (after being awarded with Sweden’s highest civilian honour) during his ongoing 5-nation tour.
Key Outcomes: Some of the key outcomes of PM Modi’s visit to Norway are:

• Elevation of India-Norway Bilateral Relations to Green Strategic Partnership;
• Norway to Join Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI);
• India to Participate at Nor Shipping 2027;
• Launch of India-Norway Digital Development Partnership; among others.

MoUs signed: During PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway in May 2026, India and Norway signed 12 agreements to strengthen their green strategic partnership across sustainability, healthcare, research, infrastructure, and innovation sectors.

BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI-Backed NISM Signs MoU with IICA to Boost ESG, Capital Markets and Governance
In May 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)-backed National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) which works under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to bolster cooperation in the areas of corporate governance, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices, and capital markets in India.

• The MoU was signed in the presence of Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairman of SEBI in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Key Details of MoU:
Objective: The agreement signed to strengthen capacity building, research, policy development, and training in securities markets and corporate regulation, while promoting a stronger, more transparent, and efficient financial ecosystem.
Key Areas of Collaboration: As per the MoU, both entities will collaborate on areas like: capacity building, research, policy support and institutional cooperation across emerging areas of financial and corporate regulation.
 Key Role: Under this new strategic collaboration, both institutions will jointly design and conduct certification courses, executive education modules, training programmes and capacity building initiatives, including programmes for SEBI officers and officials from other regulatory and financial sector institutions.

ZikZuk Technologies Receives RBI Approval to Operate as PPI Issuer
In May 2026, ZikZuk Technologies Private Limited received its final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) issuer under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act(PSSA), 2007.

• This follows its earlier in-principle approval granted in May 2025.

About PPI Integration:
Integration: The PPI authorisation enables ZikZuk Technologies to operate across digital payments, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure, and cross-border financial services.
Expansion: PPI authorisation allows ZikZuk Technologies to develop and scale a comprehensive range of RBI-regulated payment solutions, including digital wallets, prepaid cards, and stored-value services.
PPI: It is a payment system where money is loaded in advance for future transactions.

• It includes General Purpose PPIs such as Full-Know Your Customer (KYC) and Small PPIs, as well as Special Purpose PPIs like Gift PPIs, Transit PPIs for metro, bus, rail, and toll payments, and PPIs for Foreign Nationals and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) visiting India under the UPI One World framework.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 Receives 2026 AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award
In May 2026, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Chandrayaan-3 mission received the 2026 Goddard Astronautics Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) at the (Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery) ASCEND 2026 Conference in Washington D.C., United States of America (USA).

• The award was presented for achieving the world’s first soft landing near the Moon’s south pole on 23 August 2023, with India’s Ambassador to the USA, Vinay Kwatra accepting the award on behalf of ISRO.

About 2026 AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award:
Achievement: Chandrayaan-3 was recognised for its successful Moon landing, contribution to lunar exploration research, and confirmation of key chemical elements in the lunar south polar soil, generating scientific data useful for future human missions and lunar resource utilisation.
Milestone: The successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the Moon’s south pole made India the fourth country after the Soviet space programme (Russia), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (USA), and China National Space Administration (CNSA) (China), to successfully land on the Moon.
Significance: The lunar south pole is scientifically important because of possible water ice reserves, while the mission strengthened India’s position among leading spacefaring nations and showcased capabilities in autonomous landing and deep-space exploration technologies.

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IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal & Dr Soumya Swaminathan Elected as Fellow of Royal Society 
In May 2026, Professor Manindra Agrawal, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO), were elected as Fellows of the Royal Society (FRS), one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious scientific academies.

• With this, they joined an elite group of the world’s most distinguished scientists as Fellows of the Royal Society (FRS), including Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Charles Darwin.

About 2026 Fellow of Royal Society:
Manindra Agrawal:He received the honour for his pioneering contributions to theoretical computer science, especially the AKS(Agrawal–Kayal–Saxena) primality test, a breakthrough algorithm that transformed the way mathematicians understand and identify prime numbers.

• He was conferred with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in the field of Science and Engineering in 2013.

Dr Soumya Swaminathan: She is a globally recognized public health and clinical scientist, has made significant contributions to tuberculosis research, child health, and global health policy. As the former Chief Scientist at WHO, she played a key role in shaping international health responses and research coordination.

• She became the 2nd Indian woman, after Janaki Ammal in 1945, to be elected as a FRS.

Two Indian-Origin Scientists Conferred South Africa’s Highest Civilian Honour
In May 2026, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa conferred the country’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Mapungubwe, on Indian-origin Professor Salim Abdool Karim (Gold) and Professor Keertan Dheda (Silver) for their exceptional contributions to medical science, epidemiology, and health policy during a National Orders ceremony in Pretoria, South Africa.
About Professor Salim Abdool Karim:
Citation: Honoured for his key contributions to medical science and public health, especially his research on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and Tuberculosis (TB).
Leadership: Honoured for his “tireless leadership and swift response during the COVID-19 pandemic,” which supported South Africa’s early, data-driven response. His work bridges laboratory research with community healthcare services.
About Professor Keertan Dheda: 
Citation: Honoured for his pioneering research in pulmonology, which has improved the clinical and public health management of tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant respiratory infections.
Leadership: An internationally acclaimed expert whose clinical expertise and research have led to significant scientific breakthroughs and influenced public health policies across multiple countries.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India Successfully Tests Vayu Astra-1 Loitering Munition with 100-km Strike Capability
In May 2026, NIBE Limited, a defence manufacturing firm, announced the successful trials of its Vayu Astra-1 Loitering Munition (LM) with a 100-kilometre (km) operational range at Pokhran, Rajasthan, and Joshimath (Malari), Uttarakhand, demonstrating the No-Cost, No-Commitment (NCNC) model.
About No-Cost, No-Commitment (NCNC) Trial:
Execution: NIBE Limited conducted the demonstrations, managed the technology, and undertook all operational and technical validation costs.
Technology Collaboration: The Vayu Astra-1 loitering munition is based on an Israeli-designed loitering munition system developed in collaboration with Elbit Systems.
Evaluation: The Indian Army(IA) acted as the evaluating authority, setting parameters under a Request for Proposal (RFP) to assess whether the system met the required standards for a 100 km long-range kamikaze drone.
Field Trials: NIBE conducted phased field trials to validate the weapon system’s multi-terrain capability.

• Desert and night strike – Pokhran, Rajasthan (April 18–19, 2026)
• High-altitude endurance –  Joshimath (Malari), Uttarakhand (April 26–27, 2026).

ENVIRONMENT

New Worm-Eating Snake ‘Trachischium lalremsangai’ Discovered  in Mizoram
In May 2026, researchers discovered a new worm-eating snake species, ‘Trachischium lalremsangai’, in the forest regions of Mizoram and Myanmar during biodiversity and herpetological surveys. The species was named after Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Professor of Zoology at Mizoram University, in recognition of his contributions to herpetology research in India.

• The discovery was formally documented in the international journal Herpetozoa, published by the Austrian Herpetological Society.

About Trachischium lalremsangai:
Habitat: The species is small, non-venomous, and harmless snakes that live underground (semi-fossorial), found in loose soil, leaf litter, and forest debris. commonly known as slender snakes or worm-eating snakes.
Identification: It is identified by its smooth, iridescent scales, two postocular scales behind the eye, and a light brown to white-speckled belly, distinguishing it from related species that have dark brown or black undersides.
Classification: It marks the 11th recognized species of the Trachischium genus found in Northeast India and the Himalayan region.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Metrology Day 2026 – May 20
World Metrology Day(WMD) is observed annually on 20 May to highlight the importance of metrology, the science of measurement, in everyday life, science, trade, innovation, and environmental sustainability.

• 2026 Theme: “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making”.

Background: 
Establishment: WMD was established in 1999 by the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) during the 21st General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) to commemorate the Metre Convention.
Organised By: WMD is jointly organised by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).
First Observance: The first WMD was observed on 20 May 2000.
UNESCO Recognition: In November 2023, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially proclaimed 20 May as WMD through Resolution 42 C/Resolution 21, with observance beginning in 2024, following a proposal initiated and supported by Kazakhstan.

International Tea Day 2026 – May 21
The United Nations (UN)’s International Tea Day (ITD) is celebrated on 21 May to recognise the cultural, economic, and social importance of tea and to promote sustainable tea production, fair trade, and the welfare of tea workers and small growers worldwide.

• 2026 Theme: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s 2026 theme is “Sustaining Tea, Supporting Communities”.

Background:
Origin: ITD was first observed on 15 December 2005 in New Delhi, Delhi, through an initiative of tea workers and was later celebrated annually on 15 December across several tea-producing countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, India, and Tanzania.
Recognition: Acknowledging tea’s cultural significance and socio-economic value, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially declared 21 May as ITD in December 2019.
1st Observance: The first UN-recognised ITD was celebrated on 21 May 2020, replacing the earlier December observance with a globally unified celebration.
Organiser: The day is organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN.

STATE NEWS

MP Joins Hands with Google to Develop AI-Powered Simhastha 2028 Management
In May 2026, the Madhya Pradesh(MP) Government partnered with Google to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered framework for Simhastha 2028 and establish an AI Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) in MP.

• Simhastha 2028, the Kumbh Mela held once every 12 years, is scheduled to be held in Ujjain, MP from 27 March to 27 May 2028.

About AI-Powered Simhastha 2028 Management:
Background: The partnership emerged from discussions between Google executives and MP Chief Minister(CM) Mohan Yadav during the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
Aim: The initiative aims to transform Simhastha 2028 into a technology-driven mega event, with Google submitting a roadmap aligned with the vision of ‘Samriddha Madhya Pradesh’ focused on inclusive growth and AI-driven governance.
Framework: The proposed AI-enabled system for Simhastha 2028 will include real-time crowd monitoring, predictive traffic analytics, AI-based emergency response, and digital twin models for infrastructure management.
AI Assistant: Google introduced ‘Sahayak’, a multilingual voice-enabled AI assistant for pilgrim navigation, crowd updates, emergency support, and regional language accessibility.

Maharashtra Signs Rs 6.5 Lakh Crore Nuclear Energy MoUs With NTPC, Reliance, Adani & Lalitpur 
In May 2026, the Government of Maharashtra signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with four companies namely, NTPC Limited, Adani Power Limited (APL), Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), and Lalitpur Power Generation Company Limited (LPGCL) at Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• The initiative aims to attract investments worth Rs 6.5 lakh crore for nuclear energy projects, generating 25,400 megawatts (MW) of capacity.

Key Details of MoU:
Objective: The projects aim to strengthen Maharashtra’s long-term energy security, industrial growth, clean energy expansion, and decarbonisation efforts in line with net-zero energy systems.
Investment: : RIL will invest Rs 2 lakh crore to set up Bharat Small Reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) at Purnagad, Maharashtra, generating 7,200 MW, while APL will invest Rs 1.5 lakh crore in a 6,000 MW nuclear project at Barsu, Maharashtra.
Expansion: NTPC Limited will invest Rs 1 lakh crore to develop 7,200 MW nuclear power capacity in Maharashtra, while LPGCL, part of the Bajaj Group, will invest Rs 2 lakh crore to establish 5,000 MW capacity.

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